Generation of high-fidelity programmable ultrafast optical waveforms

Abstract

We report advances in the generation of ultrafast optical waveforms with programmable time-dependent amplitude and temporal phase profiles. Two liquid-crystal spatial light modulators are employed in a novel arrangement to permit the generation of programmable ultrashort waveforms with exceptional versatility and fidelity. We also demonstrate ultrafast waveform generation in which the time-dependent polarization profile is controlled.